Hairstylist brings 4 decades of experience to salon

Reed Neal, owner of Salon @ South Side, gives a client a haircut on Wednesday.

MIKE DIRKS/TIMES-NEWS

By NANCY TANKERTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Friday, November 8, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 7:34 p.m.

Reed Neal admits that he isn't the type of person to sit still very long. Over the years he has retired several times but found himself unable to actually stay retired.

Over the summer, Neal launched his eighth hair salon over a 42-year career that has spanned several states.

Salon @ South Side is at 638 Spartanburg Highway and offers haircuts, color treatments, foils, smoothing techniques and facial waxing.

"We also have an extensive retail section with multiple product lines," he said.

One of those lines is BROO, manufactured in Asheville by a company of the same name. "They make a beer-based shampoo and conditioner, and they're working on a styling products line that should come out soon," Neal said. "It's a wonderful local, natural product that works really well."

Neal has been giving the company feedback on the new styling line based on his 18 years as an educator at Redken. More recently, he has taught hair styling and cosmetology at Blue Ridge Community College.

Neal said he chose to locate his new 1,600-square-foot salon on Spartanburg Highway "because of all the development in the area with the widening of Upward Road. Harris Teeter is right here, and a brand new Ingles is going in across the street, Fresh Market has expanded and McDonald's redid their location. We're in a fresh, new part of town."

It cost him $150,000 to $175,000 to launch the salon.

When designing the space, "I wanted to build a salon for the next generation of stylists who needed a really nice place to work, a nice atmosphere, computers, the right lighting and ergonomically friendly equipment to work with. I wanted to build a contemporary, high-tech salon for the next generation."

He is looking for new stylists to join the team.

Neal said he's excited about the new venture and about a special event coming up. On Dec. 2, the Hendersonville Boys & Girls Club is bringing several dozen kids to Salon @ South Side for free haircuts.

"It's Christmastime, and they need haircuts so the kids look good for Santa," Neal said. "Plus, we're going to have a Christmas tree up and take pictures of each kid next to the Christmas tree. Some of these kids don't have a Christmas tree at home."

Neal is also giving away a free makeover to one child's mom — up to $200 in value — based on essays the children will have written on why their mom deserves a makeover. The salon's stylists will pick the winner.

Giving back to the community feels great, Neal said, just like being a stylist.

"Every day we get to make people feel good about themselves. In our business, some days you'll have someone who just had a family member pass away or is going through a bad divorce and you can make them feel better. It's one of the greatest things about our industry — having a connection with another human being — that you don't get in a lot of other industries."

To learn more about Salon @ South Side, call 828-692-8400 or visit http://salonvision.com/southside.

<p>Reed Neal admits that he isn't the type of person to sit still very long. Over the years he has retired several times but found himself unable to actually stay retired. </p><p>Over the summer, Neal launched his eighth hair salon over a 42-year career that has spanned several states.</p><p>Salon @ South Side is at 638 Spartanburg Highway and offers haircuts, color treatments, foils, smoothing techniques and facial waxing. </p><p>"We also have an extensive retail section with multiple product lines," he said.</p><p>One of those lines is BROO, manufactured in Asheville by a company of the same name. "They make a beer-based shampoo and conditioner, and they're working on a styling products line that should come out soon," Neal said. "It's a wonderful local, natural product that works really well."</p><p>Neal has been giving the company feedback on the new styling line based on his 18 years as an educator at Redken. More recently, he has taught hair styling and cosmetology at Blue Ridge Community College. </p><p>Neal said he chose to locate his new 1,600-square-foot salon on Spartanburg Highway "because of all the development in the area with the widening of Upward Road. Harris Teeter is right here, and a brand new Ingles is going in across the street, Fresh Market has expanded and McDonald's redid their location. We're in a fresh, new part of town." </p><p>It cost him $150,000 to $175,000 to launch the salon.</p><p>When designing the space, "I wanted to build a salon for the next generation of stylists who needed a really nice place to work, a nice atmosphere, computers, the right lighting and ergonomically friendly equipment to work with. I wanted to build a contemporary, high-tech salon for the next generation." </p><p>He is looking for new stylists to join the team. </p><p>Neal said he's excited about the new venture and about a special event coming up. On Dec. 2, the Hendersonville Boys & Girls Club is bringing several dozen kids to Salon @ South Side for free haircuts. </p><p>"It's Christmastime, and they need haircuts so the kids look good for Santa," Neal said. "Plus, we're going to have a Christmas tree up and take pictures of each kid next to the Christmas tree. Some of these kids don't have a Christmas tree at home."</p><p>Neal is also giving away a free makeover to one child's mom — up to $200 in value — based on essays the children will have written on why their mom deserves a makeover. The salon's stylists will pick the winner.</p><p>Giving back to the community feels great, Neal said, just like being a stylist. </p><p>"Every day we get to make people feel good about themselves. In our business, some days you'll have someone who just had a family member pass away or is going through a bad divorce and you can make them feel better. It's one of the greatest things about our industry — having a connection with another human being — that you don't get in a lot of other industries."</p><p>To learn more about Salon @ South Side, call 828-692-8400 or visit http://salonvision.com/southside.</p><p>Reach Tanker at 828-694-7871 or nancy.tanker@blueridgenow.com.</p>